Incredulous means unwilling or unable to believe something, often due to skepticism or doubt. It's an adjective describing a state of disbelief, like when someone hears surprising news and reacts with wide-eyed hesitation.

Core Definition

This word comes from Latin roots meaning "not believing," the opposite of credulous (overly trusting). Merriam-Webster defines it as "unwilling to admit or accept what is offered as true: skeptical." Britannica echoes this: "not able or willing to believe something; feeling or showing a lack of belief."

For example: "She gave him an incredulous stare when he claimed to have won the lottery."

Pronunciation and Usage

Say it as in-KREJ-uh-lus (/ɪnˈkrɛdʒələs/). Use it for people or expressions showing doubt, not the event itself—reserve "incredible" for something amazing or hard to believe.

  • Common in stories : Characters react incredulously to plot twists, adding tension.
  • Everyday chats : "He was incredulous about the election results."

Common Confusions

Many mix it with incredible (extraordinary, unbelievable in a positive way). Vocabulary.com notes: "Incredulous is stronger than skeptical; you refuse to believe it."

Word| Meaning| Example Sentence 9
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Incredulous| Skeptical, disbelieving person| She was incredulous that he forgot again.
Incredible| Amazing, extraordinary thing| The view was incredible from the peak.

Real-World Examples

  • News: "Many were incredulous that a small fire caused massive damage."
  • Literature: Characters in novels often look incredulous during betrayals, heightening drama.
  • Forums (as of 2026): Recent discussions on sites like Reddit tie it to viral hoaxes, e.g., "Users were incredulous about the AI scam claims."

Picture a friend sharing a wild tale—you raise an eyebrow, incredulous. This captures the essence, blending doubt with curiosity.

TL;DR : Incredulous = disbelieving/skeptical. Not to be confused with incredible.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.